Complete NYS Department of Labor unemployment process - step by step walkthrough needed
I just got laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant and I'm completely lost about the unemployment process in New York. I've never filed for benefits before and honestly don't know where to start. Can someone walk me through the entire process from beginning to end? Like what forms do I need, how long does it take, what are the requirements? I'm really stressed about this whole situation and could use some guidance on navigating the NYS Department of Labor system.
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Axel Bourke
The unemployment process starts with filing your initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website (labor.ny.gov). You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including dates of employment and reason for separation. After filing, you'll receive a monetary determination letter showing your weekly benefit amount. Then you must file weekly claims every week to certify you're unemployed and looking for work. The job search requirement is 3 work search activities per week which you need to log. Your first payment usually comes 2-3 weeks after filing if there are no issues.
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Nalani Liu
•Thank you! Do I need to wait for anything before I can start filing weekly claims or can I do that right after the initial application?
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Aidan Percy
Make sure you file your initial claim as soon as possible - benefits are backdated to when you file, not when you lost your job. You can file online or by phone but online is faster. After your initial claim, wait for your monetary determination before filing your first weekly claim. Keep detailed records of your job search activities because NYS Department of Labor can audit your claim and ask for proof. Each week you'll answer questions about whether you worked, looked for work, and were available for work.
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Fernanda Marquez
•What if your claim gets stuck in adjudication? Mine has been pending for weeks and I can't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor by phone.
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Norman Fraser
•I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor - their phone lines are always busy. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. It was way easier than sitting on hold for hours trying to reach someone about my adjudication issue.
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Kendrick Webb
just to add - u also need to register with the NY job search website i think its called jobs.labor.ny.gov or something like that. its part of the requirements now
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Axel Bourke
•Yes, you're thinking of the NYS Department of Labor Jobs Portal. Registration there is required as part of your work search activities, and it counts as one of your three weekly job search requirements.
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Hattie Carson
The whole process is honestly a nightmare. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and they make everything so complicated. But basically: file initial claim online, wait for monetary determination letter, start filing weekly claims, do your job searches, and pray nothing goes wrong because good luck reaching anyone if it does. The system is broken but you have to work within it.
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Destiny Bryant
•I hear you on the frustration! Going through this myself right now and it's definitely overwhelming at first.
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